The Importance of Constructing an Osteopathic Profession Around Modern Common Academic Values and Avoiding Pseudoscience; the Spanish Experience

Abstract

The global health and wellness industry has an estimated value of $4 trillion USD, of which traditional and complementary medicine (osteopathy included) represent $359.7 billion USD (almost 9%). While some European countries are gradually recognizing osteopathy as an independent health profession and regulating it in a timely manner, in Spain, osteopathy characterized by a lack of consensus within the professional community itself and the lack of regulation. In February 2019, the Government of Spain launched a campaign (#coNprueba) that was part of the "Plan against pseudotherapies and pseudosciences". In Spain, there is a serious possibility that it will be banned or that osteopathy will be classified as a subspecialization of other health professions (despite this contravening existing national laws). This could set a dangerous precedent for those countries where osteopathy is in the process of being recognized, as it could paralyze such implementation. The aim is to understand how it might be possible to change this trend to promote the education of new osteopaths, foster a culture of research, and obtain regulated status. A narrative report based on the literature addresses current issues, including sources of debate and controversy. The hand of osteopathy is outstretched to define a collaborative strategy in defence of a freely accessed, plural, safe, and regulated profession in Spain. Spain's own efforts could help the international osteopathy community define its niche and identity and determine the most flexible way to combine tradition and modernity.